Dogs and homosexuals not allowed.
Previously on “let me explain series”:
Hence, I believe that gay people should have rights to love and marry in every society. To say that they have no place in society, based on religion or any other reason for that matter, is a BAD THING!
It’s a bad thing.
So, is my friend a bad person?
Since I mentioned that the last article was part one of this series, I felt a strong obligation to finish what I started (even though I’m a lazy potato). So, this is the second part.
Okay… so my friend did say being gay is a “choice”. That gay people have no place in Islam; that they have no place in society. That being gay is a great sin. That gay people should be punished and excluded from society for their ‘sinful’ deeds.
So, is my friend a bad person?
What do you think?
Sure, for some people he might be the worst; an asshole who uses homophobia as an excuse to hurt people’s feelings. That he is an insensitive prick turning a blind eye to people’s misery; that he lacks basic human empathy. People might even put the blame on his parents for failing to raise their child properly (I mean, whose kids grow up to be such scumbags, right?) Some might say, he was born evil.
He was born evil. It’s in his blood!
And what should we do with such people?
Tie these motherfuckers up and beat the shit out of them! They want to hurt people, right? Let them feel how it feels like! Exclude them from society. Boycott them. Don’t be friends with them. They are scumbags after all. Harass them on the streets, let them feel the pain of being an outcast. Hopefully, these assholes can relate someday! Tie their hands and….
Woah woah woah! Hold your horses. There is no need to turn this into a kill bill (if you know what I mean? ; )*
Look, I understand that some people might feel this way. And they have every reason to do so. Being homophobic in 2020 has serious consequences from the society. After all, we have come a long way to have tolerance for such hateful sentiments, right? This anger towards him is completely understandable, but still, there is something very wrong with feeling this way.
Why?
BECAUSE HE IS STILL MY FRIEND!
Sure, he has become homophobic because of his blind religious beliefs, and I think his perception about homosexuality is wrong. But, are you saying that I should stop talking to him because of this? That I should stop calling him a friend?
Now that, I cannot do.
He might have wrong ideas about homosexuality but that doesn’t make him a bad person.
In fact, he is very helpful to everyone. His friends love him. He is an awesome student; he works very hard and is a responsible person. He is very vocal about speaking against oppression on Muslims all over the world (which is a real big issue, take islamophobia for example) and is passionate about helping his community.
Now, does it sound like someone who is evil since they were born?
No, it doesn’t and he isn’t evil lol.
He just has a different opinion on the issue than me. Now, I’m not saying that he is right in his views about gay people. He is still very wrong about the whole issue (at least in my opinion), but that doesn’t mean that I can’t have normal conversations with him as a friend. He and I, come from different countries. We follow different religions (though I’m not very religious). We grew up in completely different cultures and societies. He was taught these ideas about homosexuality since he was a child (hence, having these beliefs is not even his fault!), the same way I was taught about liberal values. Hence, I think it’s reasonable to assume that not everyone sees the world the same way as I do.
I repeat (cause it’s so fucking important lol).
Not everyone sees the world the same way as I do.
Hence, people have different beliefs and opinions. And this issue of homosexuality between me and my friend is nothing more than just one of those differences. It’s completely normal for two people to have different opinions on the same issue (seems obvious, but it’s a hard thing to realize lol).
So, it’s stupid to ostracize someone for having a different opinion than you. The world is a big, big place with billions of people, hundreds of cultures, and many religious beliefs. If you expect everyone to have the same opinion as you on an issue (any issue!), then my friend, you are in for a world of surprises. I had to learn that the hard way ; )
So, am I saying that my friend is right and he entitled to his opinions?
Well yes… and no.
I think my friend is wrong. But I do think he is entitled to his opinion (I mean aren’t we all, I am expressing my opinion in this article, so why can’t he?)
So, what should I do? Should I let him have these potentially harmful ideas? Should I let him continue this ideology of hatred that might potentially hurt someone in a real way?
Well… what I have seen is, people often try to impose their opinion on others, and I don’t want to become one of those people. Shouting your truth won’t make it any more truthful. Hence, imposing your opinions will never do any good. It won’t change people’s beliefs. I don’t want to go to him and try to convince him why homosexuality is normal (he already knows half the world thinks that way), so that won’t change a thing. Hence, I think the only way people change is by self-realization, for that, they have to work on it themselves.
I have so many friends who grew up in the same society as he did and have the same religious beliefs as he does, but they are surprisingly open-minded and very accepting of new ideas (I believe he is not the norm, but an exception). They are some of the coolest people I have ever met. People change with time. New generations accept new ideas and bring change in the society. It’s a process and it’s the only way I can see change being possible.
And change is possible, with time.
(At least I hope it is lol)
So, in conclusion:
- The world is a big, big place with different cultures and religions.
- People can have different opinions on the same issue, and it’s okay.
- And… my friend is not some evil super villain, and I still like him ; )
Oof! So much work lol.
Cheers!
= )
*Kill bill is a movie by Quintin Terrintino about revenge and violence. I fucking love that movie!
Honestblogs 